The Community Media Practitioners Association (COMPASS) of Nigeria led by their President Tayo Aderinola and member of Executives paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi at his office located at Oduduwa close, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Comrade Tayo Aderinola in his remark commended the Federal Government for finally approving the takeoff of Community Policing and promised to galvanize all members of the association in the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas of Lagos state to support the initiative so as to strengthen security apparatus.
He averred that “the Community Media have a pivotal role to play in community policing, hence the need for media focus since media is the watchdog of our respective communities.
The visit did not go without mentioning the gallant effort of Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos state commissioner of police, in getting Lagos state secured and safe in the last one year of his resumption as Lagos CP.
The Lagos Police Chief’s boldness and his attitude to lead from front in combating crime and criminals was sited by Comrade Aderinola that he frontally led the arrest of 2 domestic servants who allegedly attacked the Managing Director of a shipping company, Maersk Nigeria Limited, Gildas Tohouo Tohouo and his wife at about 2am in their Ikoyi residence. Odumosu’s effort was highly commended.
In his response the versatile and hardworking SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi Lagos PPRO, expresses his appreciation for the visit he asked for the cooperation and understanding between Lagos polic command and media,urged the visitors to make their reportage fair and accurate.
He was quick to point out that His bos CP,Hakeem Odumosu,whom he described as highly experience and intelligent police officer that he has no interest in requesting from any DPO or Area commander any kick back. He says, “my boss is a corrupt free individual”.This is to counter an accusation that some police officer on thestreet of Lagos do tell their suspect that they too needs togive kick back to their boss at office.
Nevertheless,he agreed to the notion that there are bad eggs among police officers just like in any other profession but confidently says that “whenever you see police officers at the best and high level you will all love police job”,as he claimed he too fall in love with the police work.
“A policeman must be accountable, responsible for their actions and inactions. Community policing will promote proactiveness, before a crime is committed, you nipped it in the bud. All these will be promoted under the concept of community policing”. SP Adejobi said.
He believes that Government has a role to play and they have been playing it, sited Lagos State Government has a platform, the Security Trust Fund, which has been very effective and supportive, in fact I urged every other states to replicate same.
Among COMPASS executives that went on visit are Ogunniran Adewale Publisher integrityreporters,Kayode Odujinri,Tunde Bello and Jennifer Nwosu publisher,Sky news
Finally, Adejobi stated that the Lagos Police Command have lined up some plans to fish out bad eggs among the force. He noted that there are several other police formations in Lagos under other seven CP aside of the state command.
He also urged the general public not to give bribe to any officer, except if such officer is ready to issue a receipt to that effect. Reminded the public that there is punishment for both giver and taker of the bribe.
